Lambaian Kaabah aka Umrah 2016

#adventuresofyanparker this time round brings me to a special place.
Since I was young, I've always had great interest in the stories of our Prophet saw. Seerah and Akhlaq were two of my favourite subjects during the madrasah age. Back then, I could only imagine what was it like in those times. To finally be here and experience parts of Islam's history is just surreal. Alhamdulillah. I pray that all will one day visit this place, InsyaAllah.

#adventuresofyanparker #lifeasatravelagent #rafflesiasg

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Stories From Kampong Treas

Stories from Kampung Treas: His name is Omar. It was our final day in Kampong Treas. So we spent some time with the kids teaching them how to fold stars and battle cars.

While seated on the floor, teaching the boys, I noticed that Omar had isolated himself from the group. I thought he probably wasn't interested. However, 10mins later, he stood beside me, tapped my left shoulder and quietly presented me with a flower he folded from paper! As he doesn't speak Malay/English, he then pointed to the stars that we've made and gestured for me to follow him.

So, I followed him back to his corner while Hanif entertained the rest of the boys with their newly made battle cars. I witnessed him patiently crafting a box from paper and after which he gathered the stars we folded previously and put them all in.

The flower has a note which says 'Thank You' and the box has his name on it and also a Khmer saying which I forgot what it means.

I'm soo touched and humbled by this. As I've said before, we came there with an intention to touch their lives. However, we were moved even more.

It's even more awesome that this seems all too familiar ain't it. It's like deja vu. Hmm.

#adventuresofyanparker#StoriesFromKampungTreas#projectgivebackstories#projectgiveback2016 
#giveback2016

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Conquering Mt Rinjani

Men can cry. I blocked my face not that cos the sun was in my eye. Just that it was such an emotional journey for me. The #roadtorinjani started almost as soon as #conqueringsoutheastasia was done. I knew I had to train extra hard for this due to my medical condition and boy it paid off.

Furthermore, for a first timer, to complete it in just under 4 hrs from the base camp is a real achievement. This experience was surreal. The #roadtorinjani was tough. The road to the summit is extremely arduous. Many times I fell. Many times I felt like giving up. Getting up to the summit is the goal, the dream.

All in all, the lesson learnt from Rinjani: not for the faint hearted, only the strong willed. Adios, Mt Rinjani. You taught me that there if this is hell on earth, I'm scared of hell in akhirat.

I will do a write-up on my blog about my experience to the summit when I return.

So what's next for me? I'll be scaling Mt Batur aka Mt adik-adik aka Mt Peanuts in 2 days time. Pray for Alfiyan

#adventuresofyanparker #roadtorinjani#goal2016 #MtAdik2 #MtPeanuts#prayforalfiyan

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Sundown Marathon 2016 - Battling Demons

I may look like a Kenyan but due to my medical condition, throughout my life, I have always struggled with regards to fitness and especially running; even though I seem to play football every other day.

I will always be the first to run out of gas in any football game. I have always struggled to take the 2.4km run. Heck, I am still exempted from ippt. Years back, i told myself in order to enjoy playing what I love, I gotta build up my stamina and fitness level.

So with this goal in mind, I set myself to conquer my limitations. My condition will not be an excuse for not enjoying my football.

Years later; now, my fitness level is at its peak.

I'm not a fan of running. Never ran more than 5kms before. Never been a fan of going for marathons. I mean I why pay to run when you can do it by yourself for free? That's my logic(this logic still stands after I ran this race). However, UniSIM offered major discounts for Sundown Marathon. And my fitness levels are at its peak. So why not right? HAH

24 hrs before the race, I had 3 football sessions plus work. So I was already jaded coming into the race. My body was already shutting down even before the horn blew.

But I pressed on.

I didn't stop at all. I jogged all the way till the 9.3km mark @ 55mins. That's when all hell broke loose. We had to run across a bridge which has a gradual upslope.

Oh god, as soon as my feet felt the sudden change of inclination, every single leg muscle cramped up! It was crazy. I was in crazy pain. My lungs were still able press on though. However, my muscles were about to give up. I was scared that I couldn't complete the race. I felt so down.

So I stopped. Did some quick stretches and found myself some much needed motivation for that final burst. At that point of time anything will help. So I offered a little prayer, picked myself up, gathered all the remaining arsenal that i've got and I fought the inner cramp demons within me and limped all the way till the finish line.

Getting to the finish line not only meant that I had completed the race, it also meant that I had finally finish university studies. The feels of passing through that line was simply overwhelming. After 3.5 years, 1 final lap, 1 final mile.

Upon reaching, I immediately sought medical medical attention for my legs. And the rest is history.

My final time was 1hr 8mins. I aimed to complete below an hour but looking back, i think it's fine especially for a first timer.

So yeah.

Moral of the story: I believe to overcome odds and achieve success:

1) you have to have the belief.
2) commitment. Do the hard work. Put in the effort; practice, train.
3) make prayer. Always put God in between whatever you're doing. He listens.
4) tawakkal.

I've got another match today. #prayforalfiyan

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Building a Perimeter for Your Future

Recently, i've started to hear a lot about topics on being financially responsible. Not sure why now, but im already at that stage in life where it is important to think about the future. Pardon me, not just think, but have a plan for it. Plan for your future now before your future plans it out for you.

Being a civil engineering student, ive came out something that ive been thinking a lot upon. You know, a good, solid, strong building can only be achieved if it has the right foundation. So i have transliterated this to life itself.

One of the ways to determine whether you are ready for your future is whether or not you have built a perimeter for your future. 

What do I mean by this? This means that you do whatever that is necessary for yourself, by yourself for the future. In another words, build foundation blocks for your future.

These building blocks may be:

Level 1 Blocks. Enjoy

Live your life to the fullest. Go outside. Go travelling. Go hiking. Play football. Hang out with friends. Find your soul. Do whatever you want that fills your heart with the utmost joy. Shun away all the haters and negativity. Know that they're not good for your soul, for your heart. The main emphasis here is to have fun! Trust me, these are building blocks. If you dont enjoy the most now, especially when you're young and free, you may never have the chance again. NEVER!

Level 2 Blocks. Set Goals, Targets, Achievements. Dreams.

I have said this many times. It is so damn important to set all these. A 2,3,5,10-year plan is absolutely necessary. This must be written down in complete detail. However, you must understand that times change and it is okay if you dont achieve it. Try your utmost best to stick by it and achieve those set goals and dreams. Modify it only if necessary. Reward yourself greatly if you achieve it.

Level 3 Blocks. Knowledge (main bulk of your perimeter)

The typical sort of knowledge people might hear is to get certificates, a diploma or a degree. Although theyre important and theyre also apart of the building blocks, what i mean here is to learn about your future and what it will consists of. Your future challenges. What your future may involve. Learn how to be financially responsible, learn about your job, learn your job market, learn how to be effective people, learn how to be good employees. learn to be spiritually sound. learn about buying BTO houses, learn about insurances, cpf, medisave, life savings, investments and all those kind of adult terms and lingos that you will eventually, inevitably use in the future. Most importantly, learn from the people who have gone through all these so that you dont make the same mistakes they did.

Another type of learning is about marriage. Learn the difficulties in maintaining a relationship/marriage,  learn how to handle a baby, learn what it takes be a good dad/mom. Most importantly learn about your potential spouse probably even before you marry him/her. Learn what he/she likes and dislikes. Learn whether his/her life ambitions fits yours. learn his/her life values fit yours. Learn that whatever you do will have and impact on both parties. This is learning how to be responsible in a relationship. This is an absolutely important foundation in your building block. You see, the structural integrity of your life may crumble if this part you got it all messed up.

Look theres so many things to learn about. Different people are at a different stage/situations in their lives to learn about a certain something. The point here is to learn for your future!

Next: Application!

Now after getting your building blocks ready and your perimeter walls all strong and solid, You are ready to apply. What's the use if you have all the knowledge in the world but you don't apply it?

The point is....

Once you get all your building blocks of your life's perimeter settled, you are now ready to fill the empty spaces in the middle; with your soulmate. If he/she too has build blocks before then kudos to you! Both of you are well prepared for the future as both your foundation is strong and stable. You can now build a future together. If he/she doesnt have the same building blocks yet, its okay. Guide him/her! Since you have the foundation, it is easier to impart the knowledge to him/her. The key here is at least one party should have built the foundation first. (preferably this has to be done by the guy lah.)

The main point here is to be well equipped for future challenges that you may face and if you arent equipped or well versed in the future, you are not ready for it. Don't you ever try and get someone involved in your life yet if you dont have these building blocks yet, especially if you're a guy. Get yourself ready for your future now so that the future you will thank you later.

(Do note that these are just a walkthough. There are definitely in depth topics in relation to all the specific points mentioned.)

Alright that's all. I hope ive brought some enlightenment. If not much, a little bit will do. Hope you'd get some takeaways from this.

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Ngaji Days

I was inspecting a house just now when I smell something very familiar. It's somehow like a powder with flowery smell. Very hard to describe it. One thing I know was that it's unique. I spent a couple of minutes wondering where in my past memory that smell came from. Soon after, I realised it was my Nenek ngaji's house.

Gosh. A sudden rush of memories soon followed.

Still remember the time when i got whacked with rotan on the palms 10x just because I just couldn't get the tajweed idgham bila ghunnah right!

Still remember the time when there's this guy by the name of Muhd Nur Azam bin Zainal. He's a cool guy, fun to be with. The thing is his name is the exact similar to my closest cuz. The only difference between them both is their skin colour. So I named them Azam white and Azam black. Hahahaha! Since young already my tongue was as sharp as a sword. Haha

Still remember the time when I had a massive crush on a girl in my ngaji class. She lived right across the road from nenek ngaji's block. So, I posted post-it notes on walls on the linkway from her blk to nenek ngaji's blk. The main intention was to keep her reminded of me while she made her way to ngaji class. Hahahaha! I was so cute back then! Haha. She moved when we were about 11 years old I think and I no longer 'pursue' her as she stayed quite far (at that point of time). Actually, she just moved to another part of Bedok only. HAHA!! Too funny.

Another story was when she managed to hafal Surah ad-dhuha first. And I haven't even completed half the Surah. I was in another room with all the boys together with the fierce and tormenting datuk ngaji. She was in another room with all the girls and very gentle nenek ngaji. As she was tested, I could hear her voice reciting the Surah and completed it. So here I was, alone, bursting into tears after hearing that and till now everyone thought that I lost my lidi(pointer for quran). Padehal padehal... Got a good scolding from datuk ngaji aka the tiger

There was a time when I called my fellow ngaji brethrens mat names. "Eh. Kau mat arid kau mat lazim kau mat jaiz kau mat farii kau mat thabii. Aku mat Salleh!" Hahahaha!
This was actually not for fun or to degrade my fellow brethrens. I used it for easy recollection. I was such a genius back then. However, no one accepted my point of view. They regard it as demeanour. Hah! Now in uni, I learnt that this association is good for memory recall. Best thing about this is that I learnt that myself at that age. No one taught me such things before. Therefore, I declare myself a genius back then. Did I mention it twice? Yes I did. EL OH EL

Speaking of genius, I just realised that i was quite like a tiny Einstein during those years. My achievements are quite remarkable actually. (Ok this is a bragging paragraph.) So here it goes...

1) Was consequently the top 3 student in madrasah for my whole pri and sec school years. (Guess who's the other 2 persons? Yep. One of them is my crush. HAHA)

2) I khatam-ed the Quran before primary school. 

3) Completed learning tajweed before primary 3. 

4) Hafal all Surah from al-ghaashiyah till an-nas WITH translation by 15 years old.

5) Spent most of my past time reading story books about our prophets (and playing football)

These were and are such major achievements for me! I didn't realise how smart and knowledgeable I was until a few minutes ago while writing this. Hahaha. Also, not mentioning my religious education was really up there.

What happened to me now? Shit happens I guess. Now everything with regards to that aspect has remained stagnant except for a few. Hmm... How I wish nenek ngaji is strong enough to teach again. I think she's over 100 years old already now. Still living and quite strong. Datuk ngaji also. Still visit them every hari raya. Alhamdulillah.

Ok. I'll end the post by saying a prayer for our datuk and nenek ngaji, our ustaz and ustazahs, our cikgus, our teachers, our lecturers, our gurus, our mentors, our educators. They are the one who made us who we are. They played a major role in moulding us and we are forever indebted to them.

Let's pray for their health. Let's pray they can still touch lives as long as they live. Let's pray that their rezeki will come in many folds. Let's pray that whatever they had done, they will receive barakah. Let's pray that they will be housed in the highest of highs in heaven. InsyaAllah amin.

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Why I love my job

I just want to repost what a friend of mine posted on his fb wall recently:

""There's some people with mentality that find a job which is easy; with saying "Why work so hard when you can find jobs like (job position)?"

Yes; its an easy job. The question is; what did you gain? Where's the pressure? Where is the satisfaction? Where's the appreciation?

Those who are working in a challenging and stressful environment; be it a tough labor job, even you my fellow senior citizens, you should be proud of yourselves. You have achieved something, actually many, ability to work on pressure, satisfaction when your hard work of dedicating to your job is swiftly done, and feeling grateful with your pay with your own sweat and blood. You gain that level of satisfaction and achievements than those who took the easy way out."

AND HERE's MY REPLY:

ME i am that person who you said above and I am DAMN PROUD of it.

The reason being is that I can do so much more, accomplish so much more while getting the same amount of money!

With the given ease and time at work i could free my mind to worry more about my grandparents and my parent's health. I can visit my grandparents. I can have more thinking capacity to worry about my finances. I can go further my studies. I can help the poor. I can volunteer. I can plan activities for my friends and families. I can pray five times a day with ease. I can do ibadah with ease. I can relax and drink tea. I can plan for my next trip. I can conquer south east asia. I can live my life to the fullest. I can upgrade myself. I can go for classes after classes. I still have some spare time to ask questions like, "Is it necessary for mosquitoes to even exists? Will there be an impact in the ecological system if mosquitoes were extinct?." I can even google it up and still find no credible answers.

Most importantly, I can do what i find meaning in life, what I prioritize most in life. These itself brings about challenges and pressures in their own way. To me, I feel a lot more satisfied and gratitification doing the things i find meaning in life (with my own blood and sweat) than to feel the same thing doing your work as an employee.

“Finding your path means finding out what you were put here on this earth to do. What is your life's purpose? Why were you given this gift called life? And what is the gift you give back to life?”

“When it comes to money, the only skill most people know is to work hard. They get up every day and go work for money, not taking the time to ask the question, ‘Is there another way?”

“Just know that it’s fear that keeps most people working at a job. The fear of not paying their bills. The fear of being fired. The fear of not having enough money. the fear of starting over.

That’s the price of studying to learn a profession or trade, and then working for money. Most people become a slave to money… and then get angry at their boss.”

“To spend your life living in fear, never exploring your dreams is cruel. To work hard for money, thinking that it will buy you things that will make you happy is also cruel. To wake up in the middle of the night terrified about paying bills is a horrible way to live. To live a life dictated by the size of a paycheck is not really living a life. Thinking that a job makes you secure is lying to yourself. That's cruel, and that's a trap I want you to avoid..."

― Robert T. Kiyosaki,

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Goodbye ChampiYans League

3 years ago, I created what is called, ChampiYans League, in which I personally organised a futsal event every Friday night. I created this to collectively combine all my different groups of football mates to come and play together and also to spread the awareness of playing proper futsal.

During those 3 years, we definitely had so much fun. Made so many new friends. Even stars like Izwan Mahbud and much more recently, Syarif Sleeq have grazed our pitches. Played 7 aside, 5 aside. With video recordings and all. Sometimes as much as 60 people came down! So much fun! Throughout the years, I even got known as being "budak yang main Friday night" amongst random people on the streets/field.

People may think my job is easy, but it sure as hell is not! Saying that its tough is an understatement. I have seriously grown very tired as it can get very mentally draining. Having said this, it brings about a great deal sadness to inform you that I am NOT capable of organising this consistently anymore.

However, this event can continue if I can get help from others to organise. Or if there's still demand. Cos right now, to source out for people to play every single week is soo draining. If either one of these 2 criterias are not met, I will sadly let this tradition die.

Since this is probably a life changing event for some too, to help you adapt, for the month of March and April, I will still continue organising. However, if I do not get a definite number of 4 teams by THURSDAY, I will cancel it. I will NOT ask around for more people.

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who have been involved throughout the years. It surely has been an amazing journey with you guys! We will meet again soon. InsyaAllah.

For AS Capilano dudes, I think it's about time we return to BV Court. Those who wanna join us to get their regular football fix, let me know. I'll update you again.

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Poetry for the Wanderlust in me

I want to re-discover the streets and the earth beneath, strap backpacks to our backs and sleep beneath the artwork of the night skies.

I want to do everything I can on this earth. I want to float down rivers, traverse deserts, scale mountains and submerge into the seas.

Here is my account of my travels in short. Every paragraph represents different countries/states. Guess which ones they are and you'll receive a prize! Anyway they're incomplete. Try and fill in the blanks. See if you're right!

Its' mountains spew hot molten lava.
The cultures' so diverse, it has its own flavour.
We travelled for miles, cutting through valleys.
We were served with the aromatic __________.

The land of smiles brings about the land of wonder.
For most of its lands this SG boy have conquered.
This land still sparks the appetite to see.
For I continue to enjoy __________.

Scaled mountains, float through rivers.
The chill from the weather makes me shiver.
Across great waterfalls and beautiful sceneries.
I stumbled upon __________.

Hiked for countless of hours.
Through caves, valleys and the deepest of forest.
In here I found something incredible, something from a tree.
I found hanging coffins and __________.

Snorkelled with urchins, coral reefs and fishes.
The skies were blanketed by the artwork of stars that form masterpieces.
Through the sun, sand and the deep blue sea.
Nahh. In here didn't get any __________.

I have re-discovered the streets and the earth beneath. Strapped backpacks to my backs and my back is where I lay to see. A canvas of the night skies, stars aplenty.

I have floated down rivers, traversed deserts. Scaled mountains and submerged into the seas. All I can say now is that this is a poetry; to bring out the wanderlust in me.

..................

South east asia = conquered!

As you can see, its incomplete. The story's not yet been finished. The final chapter is not closed. There's still one more thing left... To fill in the blanks.

#adventuresofyanparker
#yanparkertravellogue

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